GARMIN GPSMAP 78, 79 & 86 Series GPS Comparison

Garmin GPSMAP 78, 79 & 86 series handheld GPS units are reliable and portable GPS devices that are suitable for hiking, hunting, ATV-ing or any outdoor adventure.

Some of the key differences between the units in the GPSMAP 78 & 86 series include:

• Internal batteries: the GPSMAP 86 series has an internal rechargeable battery whereas the GPSMAP 78 requires two AA batteries.
• Pre-loaded maps: The “sc” units (GPSMAP 86sc & 86sci) have preloaded BlueChart g3 U.S. coastal charts, the other units have no preloaded maps. All units have the ability to add maps.
• Internal memory: The GPSMAP 78 series has a much smaller internal memory (1.7GB) than the GPSMAP 86 series (16GB). This impacts how many routes, waypoints and tracklogs you can store.
• Photo navigation: The GPSMAP 78 series allows you to navigate to places where you’ve taken photos, the GPSMAP 86 series does not.

Some of the key differences between the units in the GPSMAP 78 & 79 series include:

• Update Display: New scratch-resistant, bonded display provides improved contrast and eliminates fogging; 26% larger screen with 2.5 times the resolution of the past generation in a sunlight-visible color display
• GNSS: Reliable single-band GNSS supports multiple constellations (GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo, QZSS and SBAS) to allow for access to data around the world
• Cartography: Built-in BlueChart® g3 charts (sc model only)
• Memory: Ability to track 10,000 waypoints (versus 2,000 in GPSMAP 78) and 250 routes (versus 200 in GPSMAP 78), 300 saved fitness activities, 8GB of internal memory (versus 1.7GB in GPSMAP 78s/sc)

Product	GPSMAP 86s	GPSMAP 86i	GPSMAP 86sci	GPSMAP 78/s/sc	GPSMAP 79s/sc
General
Unit Dimensions	2.65″ x 7″ x 1.7″ (6.75 x 17.8 x 4.4 cm)	2.75″ x 7″ x 1.7″ (7 x 17.8 x 4.4 cm)	2.75″ x 7″ x 1.7″ (7 x 17.8 x 4.4 cm)	2.6″ x 6.0″ x 1.2″ (6.6 x 15.2 x 3.0 cm)	2.67” x 6.85” x 1.67” (6.77 x 17.40 x 4.23 cm)
Weight	9.59 oz (272 g)	9.59 oz (272 g)	9.59 oz (272 g)	7.7 oz (218.3 g) with batteries	9.95 oz (282g) with batteries
Water rating	IPX7	IPX7	IPX7	IPX7	IPX7
MIL-STD-810	✅ (thermal, shock, water)	✅ (thermal, shock, water)	✅ (thermal, shock, water)	❌	✅ (thermal, shock, water); bare unit only
Display Type	transflective, 65K color TFT	transflective, 65K color TFT	transflective, 65K color TFT	transflective, 65K color TFT	transflective, 65K color TFT
Display Size	1.5"W x 2.5"H (3.8 x 6.3 cm); 3" diag (7.6 cm)	1.5"W x 2.5"H (3.8 x 6.3 cm); 3" diag (7.6 cm)	1.5"W x 2.5"H (3.8 x 6.3 cm); 3" diag (7.6 cm)	1.43" x 2.15" (3.6 x 5.5 cm); 2.6" diag (6.6 cm)	1.5"W x 2.5"H (3.8 x 6.3 cm); 3" diag (7.6 cm)
Display Resolution	240 x 400 pixels	240 x 400 pixels	240 x 400 pixels	160 x 240 pixels	240 x 400 pixels
Battery type	rechargeable, internal lithium-ion	rechargeable, internal lithium-ion	rechargeable, internal lithium-ion	2 AA batteries (not included); NiMH or Lithium recommended	2 AA batteries (not included); NiMH or Lithium recommended
Battery life	up to 35 hours at 10-minute tracking; up to 200 hours at 30-minute tracking (power save mode)	up to 35 hours at 10-minute tracking; up to 200 hours at 30-minute tracking (power save mode)	up to 35 hours at 10-minute tracking; up to 200 hours at 30-minute tracking (power save mode)	20 hours	up to 19 hours
Memory/History	16 GB (user space varies based on included mapping)	16 GB (user space varies based on included mapping)	16 GB (user space varies based on included mapping)	1.7 GB	8 GB (user space varies based on included mapping on sc version)
Interface	high speed microUSB and NMEA 0183 compatible	high speed microUSB and NMEA 0183 compatible	high speed microUSB and NMEA 0183 compatible		high speed microUSB and NMEA 0183 compatible
Maps & Memory
Preloaded maps	❌	❌	✅(BlueChart® g3 included)	❌	Available on sc version only
Ability to add maps	✅	✅	✅	✅	✅
Basemap	✅	✅	✅	✅	✅
Automatic routing (turn by turn routing on roads) for outdoor activities	❌	❌	❌	✅ (with optional mapping for detailed roads)	✅ (with optional mapping for detailed roads)
Map segments	15,000	15,000	15,000	N/A	15,000
Satellite Imagery	✅(direct to device)	✅(direct to device)	✅(direct to device)	❌	❌
Includes detailed hydrographic features (coastlines, lake/river shorelines, wetlands and perennial and seasonal streams)	❌	❌	❌	❌	✅ (downloadable from Garmin Express™)
Includes searchable points of interests (parks, campgrounds, scenic lookouts and picnic sites)	✅ (downloadable from Garmin Express™)	✅ (downloadable from Garmin Express™)	✅ (downloadable from Garmin Express™)	❌	✅ (downloadable from Garmin Express™)
Displays national, state and local parks, forests, and wilderness areas	✅ (downloadable from Garmin Express™)	✅ (downloadable from Garmin Express™)	✅ (downloadable from Garmin Express™)	❌	✅ (downloadable from Garmin Express™)
External memory storage	✅ (32 GB max microSD™ card, not included)	✅ (32 GB max microSD™ card, not included)	✅ (32 GB max microSD™ card, not included)	✅ (microSD™ card, not included)	✅ (32 GB max microSD™ card, not included)
Waypoints/favorites/locations	10,000	10,000	10,000	2,0000	10,000
Courses	250, 200 course points per course	250, 200 course points per course	250, 200 course points per course	❌	250, 200 course points per course
Tracks	250	250	250	200	250
Navigation Track Log	20,000 points, 250 saved gpx tracks, 300 saved fit activities	20,000 points, 250 saved gpx tracks, 300 saved fit activities	20,000 points, 250 saved gpx tracks, 300 saved fit activities	10,000 points, 200 saved tracks	20,000 points, 250 saved gpx tracks, 300 saved fit activities
Activities	✅	✅	✅	❌	❌
Navigation Routes	250, 250 points per route; 50 points auto routing	250, 250 points per route; 50 points auto routing	250, 250 points per route; 50 points auto routing		250, 250 points per route; 50 points auto routing
Rinex logging	✅	✅	✅	❌	✅
Sensors
GPS/GLONASS/Galileo/QZSS/SBAS	GPS/GLONASS/Galileo	GPS/Galileo	GPS/Galileo	GPS	GPS/Galileo/QZSS/SBAS
Barometric altimeter	✅	✅	✅	✅	❌
Compass	✅ (tilt-compensated 3-axis)	✅ (tilt-compensated 3-axis)	✅ (tilt-compensated 3-axis)	✅ (tilt-compensated 3-axis)	✅ (tilt-compensated 3-axis)
High-sensitivity receiver	✅	✅	✅	✅	✅
GPS compass (while moving)	✅	✅	✅	❌	✅
Daily Smart Features
Connect IQ™ (downloadable watch faces, data fields and apps)	✅	✅	✅	❌	❌
Smart notifications on handheld	✅	✅	✅	❌	❌
Weather forecasts	✅	✅	✅	❌	❌
Weather	✅	✅	✅	❌	❌
Compatible with Garmin Messenger app		✅	✅	❌	❌
VIRB® Remote	✅	✅	✅	❌	❌
Pairs with Garmin Connect™ Mobile	✅	✅	✅	❌	❌
LiveTrack	✅	✅	✅	❌	❌
Outdoor Recreation
XERO™ Locations	✅	✅	✅	❌	❌
Point-to-point navigation	✅	✅	✅	❌	✅
TracBack®	✅	✅	✅	❌	❌
Area calculation	✅	✅	✅	✅	✅
Fish forecast	✅	✅	✅	✅	✅
Sun and moon information	✅	✅	✅	✅	❌
Geocaching-friendly	✅(Geocache Live)	✅(Geocache Live)	✅(Geocache Live)	✅(Paperless)	✅(Paperless)
Custom maps compatible	✅(500 custom map tiles)	✅(500 custom map tiles)	✅(500 custom map tiles)	✅	✅
Picture viewer	✅	✅	✅	✅	✅
LED beacon flashlight	✅	✅	✅	❌	❌
inReach Features
Interactive SOS	❌	✅	✅	❌	❌
Weather	❌	✅	✅	❌	❌
Send and receive text messages to SMS and email	❌	✅	✅	❌	❌
Send and receive text messages to other inReach device	❌	✅	✅	❌	❌
Send and receive group messages	❌	✅	✅	❌	❌
Exchange locations with other inReach device	❌	✅	✅	❌	❌
MapShare compatible with tracking	❌	✅	✅	❌	❌
Virtual keyboard for custom messaging	❌	✅	✅	❌	❌
Send waypoints to MapShare during trip	❌	✅	✅	❌	❌
Send route selection to MapShare during trip	❌	✅	✅	❌	❌
inReach remote compatible	✅	✅	✅	❌	❌
Outdoor Applications
Compatible with Garmin Explore™ app	✅	✅	✅	❌	❌
Garmin Explore website compatible	✅	✅	✅	❌	❌
Smart switching between Wi-Fi, Cellular and Satellite with Garmin Messenger app	❌	✅	✅	❌	❌
Wireless Connectivity	Wi-Fi®, BLUETOOTH®, ANT+®	Wi-Fi®, BLUETOOTH®, ANT+®	Wi-Fi®, BLUETOOTH®, ANT+®	N/A	N/A